Historic Perspectives on College Sports

Monday, January 31, 2005

Editor's Note: In the early 1890s, the College found itself at a cross-roads concerning the role of athletics, particularly as the College expanded under the stewardship of President William Jewett Tucker. To that end, the Executive Committee of the Alumni commissioned a report to plan for the future success of Dartmouth Athletics. Alumni Athletic Field, renamed Memorial Field after World War I, represented the fruition of this planning, and was dedicated October 9th, 1893 On that day, Dartmouth defeated Amherst by thirty-four points. The following quotes about this porject were taken from Dartmouth Athletics, by John Henry Bartlett 1893.

Courtesy Dartmouth College Library

— In their second game on Alumni Field, Dartmouth crushed Brown 62-0, on Thanksgiving Day 1903. —

The distinctive Dartmouth game was, till very lately, from time immemorial, the grand olde game of foot-ball...the free, joyous, and exhilarating pursuit of the ball all over the Green by every student, according to the measure of his inclination and powers.

—Bartlett, commenting upon the fervor for athletics at Dartmouth as the committee undertook their planning.

The time has come for the recognition of athletics in the general discipline and culture of the college. Acknowledge this plan, take away the friction consequent upon their simple tolerance, and the whole matter becomes manageable and helpful to the administration of the College...College athletics give mental recreation. The college mind is quickely relieved and ventilated by the change from study to a subject of constant and exciting interest. The mental value is quite as great in the aggregate as the physical value. Athletics as a discipline must be supported by athletics as a sport. It is the game that keeps up the gymnasium; even those who do not play are stimulated by those who do. Take out the stimulus of college contests, and the work of the gymnasium becomes drudgery.

—From the Executive Committee's report on athletics, on the importance of successful College athletics.

We believe in college athletics and the interest they give college life, for three reasons which are fundamental principles in any educational plan which includes the building of character and the making of men. The first is love of play; second, the love of prowess; third, the good end of all this. It perfects our power to direct, apply, and control the expenditure of our energy. It is that which makes possible success in contests of strength and skill. We see this in the masterly game where men put forth their utmost strength, shoulder to shoulder, with level heads and equal tempers in victory defeat. This is training in manliness, and a dependence upon scientific skill that is taking the place of roughness in all our games.

—Dr. Edward Cowles, Alumni Athletic Committee, at the dedication of Alumni Field.

There have always been athletes in the College, and what they lacked in science they made up in true and honest sport. Whatever changes have taken place in athletic methods have in no way lessened the true vital principle upon which they were founded...My own sentiments in regard to the athletic question you already know. I believe in athletic sports for what they are in themselves, not as a mask for something else.

—President William Jewett Tucker, at the dedication of Alumni Field.

The next piece retells the story of another field dedication, this time in Cambridge, Mass. At the end of the 1903, Harvard hosted Dartmouth in the first game in its new stadium. The Hanover eleven embarassed the heavily-favored Crimson, 11-0. The game, and its celebratory aftermath, is detailed in the following account from the Daily Dartmouth.

Saturday was a notable day in Dartmouth's athletic history, for the sturdy men who represent Dartmouth on the gridiron realized their highest ambition by defeating Harvard. Eleven points to nothing, and two hundred and thirty-six yards to forty-eight, in the first game in the Crimson's new stadium, tell in brief the story of a victory as glorious to the Green as it was humiliation to the Crimson. As The Boston Traveller put it, "The brawn and beef of the Granite State boys pushed under, over, and through the Crimson line as though Harvard was represented by men of straw. It was a complete defeat, a defeat without an excuse."

Dartmouth completely outclassed Harvard. Neither offense nor defense left anything to be desired. The team-work was marvelous. It was a splendid sight to see the eleven men get into every play as a unit; to see them charge together, rally round the man with the ball, and push, pull, and shove for every inch. Dartmouth's line, although nineteen pounds heavier than Harvard's, from tackle to tackle, got the jump on the Crimson nearly every time, and opened up big holes for the backs. The defensive work prove that Coach Folsom and his assistants had brought out a team capable of presenting one of the most stubborn and determined fronts of any team now playing the game.

Captain Witham ran his team with admirable judgment, and it is the opinion of the Globe that he "should be reckoned with when the all-American elevens are made up this fall." Dartmouth's attack spread across Harvard's whole line, and Dartmouth found admittance at every point...

The scene after the game [...defies] description. The contrast was impressive. While the Harvard supporters remained in their seats and cheered the defeated team with commendable loyalty, the Dartmouth men instantly flooded the field to indulge in more than the usual congratulatory enthusiasm. A procession of several thousand men then started for Harvard Square, where the crowd scattered. Dartmouth alumni and undergraduates alike continued their jollification at the Quincy House, where the members of the team made merry at dinner by singing songs and giving cheers, at the Adams House, and at the Columbia Theatre.

Courtesy Dartmouth College Library

— Alumni Athletic, constructed in 1893 at a cost of $16,600. —

One of the finest features of the day, however, was the celebration in Hanover. This classic village had not seen such a time in years. When the three hundred stay-at-homes learned that their team had scored on Harvard in a few minutes after the toss-up, their enthusiasm knew no bounds. They immediately secured continuous telegraphic service, and a good running story of the game was read to the expectant throng. When the last message arrived, the students withdrew to collect material for a huge bonfire-and the work was no confined to the Freshman class!

A seven o'clock one of the most enthusiastic meetings ever held in celebration of the athletic victory took place in Old Chapel. Every man who did not go to Boston was there to cheer the team and listen to the speeches by members of the faculty. President Durgin of the Senior class presided.

President Tucker was the first speaker. In his introductory remarks he spoke of the severe illness of Freshman Hayes and requested that the parade be confined to the Campus. He then spoke of the great victory of the day and what it meant to Dartmouth. It was due to the men on the team, Coach Folsom, and the Athletic Council, who "had bragged little and done much." WE should all have great respect for the men on the team who have submitted themselves to this double discipline and have worked so well. Dean Emerson, speaking of Harvard's stadium, said that it was a copy of the Coliseum and that Dartmouth had certainly "called to see 'em." The possibilities of the Dartmouth team were as great as of any team in the country. The victory meant that Dartmouth's name would go down as the first team that won in the new stadium.

Prof. J. K. Lord said that he thought the occasion was almost too great for speech, that like the little boy, he felt so good that he wanted to hug himself. The victory has left a coat of green on the stadium and it will take a good many coats of crimson and blue to wear it away....

Professor Laycock said that it was a notable opening of "our" stadium...

Prof. G. D. Lord thought that it was not necessary to belittle Harvard. We have reached out to Harvard for a great many things that she was willing to give us, but to-day we have taken something that she was very reluctant to part with. Great credit is due to the first team and all the other men who have assisted in perfecting it.

After the meeting the excited students formed in line and, headed up by the band, marched round the campus, down College Street, up Lebanon and Main, down Allen Street, up School and West Wheelock to campus. They called on Prof. Charles F. Richardson, who made enthusiastic remarks. The fire was lighted at 8:30 o'clock, and it was one of the biggest blazes in recent years. Around the fire men sang songs and cheered wildly, and then indulged in a nightshirt parade, which ended one of the most memorable athletic celebrations in Dartmouth's history.

Historic Perspectives on College Sports

Article Tools

Related Articles